Hello. How are you? I'm okay. How are you? Good. I apologize for not realizing that this was your day off because it's a it's a state holiday. That's okay. That's all right. Okay. Yeah, I don't think I realized when we
um booked it. And it's fine. You know, soft holidays, isn't it? It's not a um you know, I didn't run the marathon today. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Good to know. You know, it was really nice to have
um a holiday after Easter. I always feel like the holiday we I I did had hosted my family for Easter dinner and I always feel like the day after a big holiday when you have a big gathering you should have off. Yeah, that's true. Yeah. It's
so It's so all so late this year. It's so strange. Yeah. So, okay. Everything's good though. Everything's good though, Maryann. Yeah, I know you're super busy. There's so much going on, but it is it is very
busy. Um, yes, it's very busy. Um, but it's it's, you know, it's all fine. That's good. Yes. Sorry, I'm trying to clean up my desk. Things are falling over. It's a mess. I am paying attention though. Yeah,
that's all fine. So, did you have minutes like from I was just saying to I was texting K because like I couldn't find the minutes and then she thought you took them last time because we talked about the naming thing for most of the meeting. I didn't take them. Um cuz Mel wasn't sick. I didn't take them
either. Oh, Mel wasn't there. Okay. Yeah, she was sick. So, um I didn't take them. I can go back and take them from the recording. Okay. The month before that. Sorry, Marian. Go ahead. Okay. The month
I think the month before that we had one other month when Mel wasn't there. Um but I I don't I don't I don't really remember. I'll go back and Yeah, I don't even have my calendar right here. I And
there should be like an AI meeting summary, I would think. Uh yeah, that's right. Zoom. Or there might be. Um, so I will let me let me send myself a note right now. Um,
to um I think that's right. I think what we decided was just to go with the AI summary. Um, I don't I don't remember that. But yeah, it's doing that now. I think so. Okay. But I don't Yeah. Okay. For sure.
I'll um so that would have been the March trustee. Yeah, I think I missed the February I think. I know I missed one. I don't have my calendar right here. So, right. Okay.
Was I here for March? I can't even remember. I don't remember. There was one you missed because I think you were sick. Um, and I missed one, but I don't actually remember about looking. That's all right if we're a
little behind. No big deal. Yeah. Hi, Pam. Hi. Hi, Pam. I'm trying to make you guys all so that we're all big. Here we go. Oh, that's right. It's going to speaker. Okay. Doesn't have to. You can put it on
gallery. Yeah, that's what I was looking for. I thought I did, but it was still in the small box in the corner. So, anyway, are you traveling, Kate? So much. Um, I thought you were, but aren't aren't you going to look at colleges this week? No. Um, we were
thinking about it, but then we decided against it. Um, I'm going to the Society of American Journalist Conference in Tempe to speak on Friday and then I'm in Washington DC for all the fun and games
next week. Wow. Yeah, I'm back on Friday. So, but then and then I was in Brazil for two weeks. Oh, you were? Oh, wow. Hey, Brad's here. Hey, Brad.
I'm even visible. Hi Brad. So we're just waiting for Mel and Elizabeth. Yeah, but noting that we have a quorum already. So we can wait for them for a few. This is the GA gather and agenda check part. And I know that Elizabeth
already sent an addition for right the name logos new logo. Yeah. Did we have No, we don't think we do. So, we're
going to scratch that part from the agenda. Well, we're waiting. I'm going to go into the Zoom account and see if I see Oh, I I just have to pay attention to the waiting room. Okay, here's Elizabeth.
Hi, Elizabeth. Welcome. You're in a room that I love. Thank you. Was that like the the kids playroom? It's the playroom. Yeah. It's very nice. Thank you. Yeah, it's really cute. Do
you get to play in there, too? Nice. She does. And because we're zooming, we get to be there a little bit, too. It's true. It was nice to see you Friday. Yeah, you too. We were at the roundabout
for the uh the uh Indivisible Western Quaban Indivisible. Thank you. Yeah, there were a lot of people there. Like about probably a couple hundred people were estimating. Excellent. Yeah. At which roundabout?
Uh the intersection of like uh North Pleasant and East East East Pleasant Street in Ammerst and I don't know the other name that goes by the high school. I forget the name of that street. Triangle. Yeah, you're right. So right there, that roundabout right there, which is a very busy spot. There was a
lot of waving and a lot of honking, you know. Everybody was so supportive of what our we're standing there with our sign. So, it was great. It's going to be every Friday if anybody 4 to 5:30 if anybody wants to join. So, good to know.
Okay. Um I don't know about M. So, I just texted her. She's going to jump on. Okay. I didn't know. Thank you. I think um it. Anyway, today's a holiday. Happy uh marathon day.
Happy Patriots Day. Hey, I know it's Patriots Day. It's really nice to know that our whole country is because of Massachusetts, right? And what we did 250 years ago, but is that what Patriots Day is about? Yes. Yes. Okay. Yeah.
Okay. Isn't it the commemoration of the ride and the That's right. around the world that started the whole thing. Work toward independence. Yes. Yep. Some should be in in a moment. Yeah.
Yeah. She thought it was tomorrow because of the holiday. Um Yeah, we could have done that. my um phone started everything that I've not everything I've said but
um it's it's putting my phone is wants to text her everything I've said so I just deleted all of that so my introduction to peaceful um protests
was 50 years ago at that at the conquered bridge. I went to the People's Bsentennial Commission when President Ford showed up for the 200th anniversary. It was on the other side of the river. But anyway, yeah, it was pretty cool to think about that. Wow. 50 years ago.
Yeah. When she gets the 15 years like you know like I was in college and like they had the thing started at midnight. We had like Eat Seager, Arlo Guthrie, Cha Guavara, Joan
Bayas, all these people were there, right? And like I don't remember bring a sleeping bag. I think we just my friends and I we just luckily one of them brought a tarp cuz it rained and it's April, it's cold and we just spent the night out there outside under a tarp, you know, people can survive around to
the other side the next day and booed President Ford. But anyway, that's just don't don't put that in the minutes even though it's all right. Here's Mel. Anyway, thank
you. And oops, connecting to audio. Yes, there's Mel and Elizabeth. Hey, so sorry. For some reason, I had in my head that it was tomorrow night, so I Yeah. So, sorry. Good to see you. Thank
you. Yeah, of course. Yeah, Elizabeth is here. She just has her video off. So, no worries. Okay. Um, so here we are assembled. So, I'm going to just call us to order. Um, it's my privilege to cheer tonight. Um, and we are going to dispense with minutes for this evening
because I think last time we met we decided to just sort of go with the AI summary because Mel was out. Mel, is that you you were indeed out last time. Is that correct? Am I remembering this properly? Um, no. We have meeting
minutes from March 3rd. Ah, I don't No, then people have read them. I have not. No, because I haven't sent them because I was tomorrow. Okay. So, no, no worries. That but that solves a mystery. So, thank you for that and we'll just do
it next time. Okay. Um so for today um I I am looking at the agenda and I think uh just so what we have on the agenda is director updates, building committee
updates. We're going to take a look at the other libraries room naming policies. We have a question about logo for our new library that Elizabeth added to our agenda. Question about how we can support restoration of MLC funding.
what what we might want to do to honor our longtime volunteer Janice Gray who died um a few weeks ago and um setting our next meeting time and agenda. Any additions to that agenda for
tonight? I'm hearing none. So, I'm just going to go right over to you, Maryanne, for the director's updates. All right. So, um let's see. So on April 11th, I went to a library conference. It is the
first library conference I've gone to in person since COVID. Um so it was the library sum summit on social cohesion. Um it was an all day event. There were three speakers. Um Sandra Harris, who's
the co-founder of the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness. And you might remember that last September um the library hosted a
um a good neighbor day party um at the sack uh which was a huge smashing success. Um and that came out of this. So this coalition um advocated to Governor Healey to
declare whatever date that was September 28th or something. um good neighbor day. Um and then they put out a call to um organizations to plan events. Um and so
then I was at this uh this library conference and the person who's who um came up with that whole idea spoke. Um, and then a woman named Beth Waller who um, uh, has a she's a social worker and
she has a podcast called Surviving the Stacks. Um, she focus she specializes in social work for libraries. Um, and then Noah Lenstra who um, he's the director of Let's Move in Libraries which is an
organization that I follow. Um, and then he's written a book called Healthy Living at the Library. Um and and the overall theme was libraries can be a resource for social cohesion um and that
uh promoting social cohesion is more important than ever. So I left the conference with a rem with a renewed commitment to ensuring that Shootsbury residents and Shootsberry's library users are aware of the opportunities that for social cohesion provided by the
library. Um, and of course that will be easier to provide once our new building opens. Um, let's see. Our series of nine art workshops funded by the new Salem Academy is nearing the end. Um, so these
are opportunities for social cohesion. Um, there's a marbling on fabric workshop on Sunday, May 4th, and then a collage workshop on June 5th. Um, and so since January until June, we'll have had these not nine art workshops. Um, I'm
scheduled for jury duty on Tuesday, May 6th. Let's hope that doesn't turn into a thing. Um, and I've already put it off once. Um, let's see. Library Giving Day was another remarkable success. Um 124
donors gave $30,855. The spring egg hunt on Saturday was a huge success. About 150 people, 55 to 60 of them children, um came and had a wonderful time. Eight volunteers
helped sort stuff and hide the eggs. Um and now on to new library construction. Most of the windows are now in. Several layers of the roof are complete. Framing on the interior continues. Um the
contractor is responsible for making mockups of the roofing, siding, and window details which are inspected by the architect be before being applied to the building. Um and so soon the roofers will fabricate the mockup of the metal
roof and then that will go on. I think metal is next. Um, and so there's decking and then a moisture barrier and then insulation and plywood and another moisture barrier that's almost that's
done on the entire roof. And then the next and then there's some details all around. And then the u but the next main level will be the metal roof and then the solar panels will go on top of that. Um the electrician, plumber and HVAC
subcontractors will begin installation of their various systems in the next week. Overall, the project is a good six weeks behind schedule. Construction is currently scheduled to be complete by midepptember and then it'll be at least
another month or so after construction is complete before we can open. Um, I've been gathering quotes for shelving from shelving vendors. Um, which is much harder than it sounds. Um, I feel like I've been I have been gathering quotes
from shelving vendors since um, at least November, so for months. Um, and um, and we've gone back and forth with two of the vendors. Um, and anyway, we're reviewing the quotes and
expect to choose a shel shelving vendor by miday. And that was as far as I got in my notes, and that seems like a lot. So, okay, I had a question. Um, I'll just jump in.
Um, I believe that we won't get the federal earmark that we were hoping to get. Um, and that's not a barrier for the solar. No. So, so the solar panels
are an eligible expense from the MBLC. Um, with the earmark, we were really calling it like we were talk we talked about all of the sustainable energy systems and the solar.
Um so so but then so while we were doing that the select board was working on this MV municipal vulnerability right assessment grant right and so the select board got a grant an MVP grant
that the original grant was to cover the solar and the Ford lightning pickup truck. the Ford Lightning pickup truck um is not designed to power a building like this. So, we went back to MVP and asked if they would
consider first we asked if they would consider uh helping to fund a generator and they said no. Um but they they are willing and they've signed a contract to pay for some battery storage.
Um so so the MVP grant um so the town did the the select board did the first contract with them. I did a contract update in early January and I
and it was based on the schedule that we had at that time um which had solar panels going in by the end of this fiscal year. solar solar panels are not going to be installed by the end of this fiscal year and the battery storage
system is also not going to be complete. So I need to do a new contract update and when I spoke to our coordinator with MVP he wasn't encouraging about pushing
all of this funding into the next fiscal year. Um so so the ne so the contract update is due May 1st. Um and um and uh
and I I won't have any new So the architect just sent the um so so how this works if there's going to be a change to the project um the
architect design or the architect's um subcontractors or design you know engineers and things design the chain change to the project and then they give that change to the project to the contractor who
then gets who then quotes pricing on that change. So that request for pricing for the battery storage system was just given to the contractor today. So there's no way I'm going to have that in time for the uh contract update.
Although I do know that one thing is going to be more expensive than um than they originally said. So, but but if we but anyway, so if the MVP grant falls through because we can't
push it off until the next fiscal year, then the solar panels are still eligible for the grant from the board of library commissioners. the board of library commissioners will cover 75%. Um the MVP grant was going to cover
90% and then the MBLC would have covered 75% of the remaining 10%. Um, so, um, so I'm going to do the grant, um, uh, amendment and submit it and
then, you know, and then see what they say, you know, and then I don't I haven't asked, but I don't think the battery storage will be an eligible cost from the MBLC. So the worst thing is
we're back to having solar panels and no battery storage. So the architects have designed a hookup for a roll up generator. Um so they don't they don't
think that we we can't have a permanent onsite generator. Um mostly for space issues. So, um, so, so, and so we're thinking, and they say that we can rent a rollup generator.
I don't think renting a rollup generator in Western Massachusetts is um, is practical. Although, I have found a company, I haven't actually spoken to them, but I did find a company online that rents generators. Whether or not
they rent the size we'll need is um, I don't know. Um but anyway, so we might so we pro and we probably should have a gener generator for in the winter because we don't want pipes to freeze. Um that's why you have a generator. Um
so so anyway, the so I think the worst scenario is we're back to having those solar panels covered most, you know, 75% by the MBLC and we're buying a rollup generator and we don't have battery storage. Um, and so that's another thing
that I've been working on. Another funding thing that happened just since you brought it up is you'll remember that when the bids came in and we met with the select board, so the trustees, the select board and the building committee met and the finance committee
was at that meeting in early June and the select board dedicated what they thought was the remaining earmarked funds from the state to the project and they thought it was about $50,000 at the time. So this week um
uh so earlier this week um la last week we're in this week now um the town accountant didn't have documentation that so we have the best town accountant in the history of the world. She just
knows her stuff. Um and and she makes me feel so confident about anything that I do related to her cuz she is not going to do something if it's not the right thing. So she didn't have documentation that said that she could spend that
earmark on the library. So So I said, "Okay, let me find that documentation." So I went back to Senator Cmerford's office and the the earmark was very general. it was just on capital um improvements for the town of Shootsbury.
Um and then but then in the course of that we discovered that um that there wasn't there's not $50,000 left. There's only $40,000 left. So so you know and anyway that took a day and a half to
figure all of that stuff out. Um, so, um, so, um, but you know, but it's still, so it's a, that's a little bit of less money we have from that. And then we may not have the MVP grant. Um, and if we do have the MVP grant, it still
costs us money because we're because I won't have um the full, you know, I I don't think I'll have the full amount of of cost when I put in this next contract revision. Um,
and how many contract revisions will they even entertain? So, um, so, um, so anyway, that's that's all it's all complicated and, um, but I'm on top of it all. And, um, and so, let's see. So,
in January, we did the contract revision. Um, we had to do a ad service agreement with the architects so that the solar designers would design the batteries. We knew that was a risk.
um uh you know they've just they have now finally so it's January now we're April I guess it doesn't it's three months later so um four months later and he they finally have to finish that
battery storage design um and now we're waiting for the pricing um so things just take time and in in the meantime and in the meantime they're not ready to put the
solar panels on the building. So, um and and it's it's sometimes frustrating that the project is is behind schedule, but I don't think it's unusual for the project
to be behind schedule. It can't be because it's just like Kate's first rule, everything takes longer. Right. Right. First rule for life, right? And my husband being a contractor, that's just the general
rule. Yeah. Yes. But thank you, Marian. That was really informative. It was. Thanks. Does anyone else have We have a one more minute for this. Does anyone have any other questions before we move on? Thank you. It's great to see where we are and however, you know, yes, some
delays, but so much progress. So, um, all right. We are moving now um to the question of other library naming policies. And I I guess I want to just start the conversation by saying one thing that I noted is it seems like you
know we can do what we want. The friends can can do what they want. There are there's, as far as I can tell, one downside risk that we've seen so far, which is attaching a name to like the so and so children's room and then we don't
want that to be the children's room and we've locked ourselves into it being the children's room. And so maybe we just call it the so and so room and no problem. Is it really that simple? Did anybody else see anything
else that's makes it any harder than that? Yeah, that makes sense. Makes sense to me. So, I guess then [Music] um what I'd like to know, you could even
have it have it say something in the contract along the lines of the name of the room might change. What the room is used for might change, but the name will stay on it. That's a good point. Yeah. Yeah. So, Elizabeth, as the friends leaison,
um, is there anything else that friends need from trustees on this to move forward, do you think? What do you think, Marian? No, no, no, no. I think that
um, you know, so I think and I hope to have it ready by tonight, but I didn't. Um so I think the trustee should make a policy um and um you know like an adopt an official policy um and it doesn't I
mean I sent you a handful of examples and um and I think it can be one page um and um and then and then I think the friends can continue. I mean, so and really the
plan is there's one family that has approached that's approached me and and while this may get posted on the website, there isn't a plan to actively solicit namers, you know, people to name
spaces. Um there's um it's really just about being ready to have this conversation with this family when the family's ready to have the conversation and I'm in regular conversation with the family. So
[Music] um Brad has his hand up. Perfect bra. And I'm not muted. I can speak. Um, I don't know that this really applies to us, but I'll mention it
anyway. I' I'm retired from 1794 meeting house up in New Salem and they got um cues and no, the pews were there. They have plaques on the pews saying, you know, donated by so and so. And um I
failed for 11 years to get those pews out the door and gone. Um they are in the way. And um maybe it will happen, maybe it won't. But anyway, if they ever did manage to take the pews out and put in seating that was better for the
meeting house, there goes all those plaques. Um so the one thought I have is to not say anywhere named in perpetuity named forever. Um in my mind I imagine 50
years from now something happens and a new extension gets put on and when that happens some room gets changed totally changed in the process and maybe that was a named room. Um, so it's it's always a little funny if you name
something and tell people that it's perpetual. Um, because a lot of life isn't perpetual. Well, it's none of it as far as I can tell so far. Go ahead, Pam. Um, one of the things that Maryanne sent had
a qualifier in there that said the the naming of this thing is not in perpetuity. So, I thought that was a really valuable thing to have in the policy that it says that, you know, and
so they did some explaining. There were different pieces of each of those ones that she sent that I thought were um interesting and the one didn't even they it was just a onepage thing that said you know if you're interested
in naming a room basically like see the librarian or you know what I mean? So, because we don't have to have it out there for the public, unless somebody asks, then it's off to the side.
I have a document that I drafted on the 3 of March after which I think might have been our previous meeting. Um, what I would dearly love to do is send this to someone who can finalize it in accordance with the feedback that we've
given. like I already took out the words in perpu in perpetuity. Um and I already sort of said the name goes with the area not the function. Okay. Um but if someone wanted to words smith this so that we could wrap it up as policy I
think we could just probably just um vote on it at our next meeting. Does that seem Well, let me ask a couple things. Does anyone object to that idea? No. Okay. Does anyone want to volunteer
to whip this thing into shape for us to review and vote on next time? Hopefully. Can I nominate someone? Uh, you're free to, but um I don't think we can voluntel people, which is always my favorite approach. I love that word
though. I've never heard that word voluntel. I feel like I voluntel people all the time. Own it, sister. Go ahead. Who are you asking? Elizabeth. Okay, I'll do it. All right, Elizabeth.
I will email you the doc right after we're done. And um I hope this isn't too ownorous. I don't think you can ask me questions, Elizabeth. And and then you know, curse me to all your friends. So, sounds good.
Excellent. Well, that was pretty quick. Um, if you all don't mind, I'm going to start a draft of an email to Elizabeth right this minute just so I don't forget. Um, and I will actually do what I said I
was going to do u just for novelty sake. Um, and then, um, I, Elizabeth, while you're squarely on the spot, are you willing to stay there for a bit and lead us in the logo discussion that you
suggested? Sure. So, as we come up on the opening of the new library, um it might make sense to have a logo or some branding on stuff that we give out at the grand opening or that we sell at the grand opening or that we sell at the
library later. And with, you know, it may take time to develop a logo and then time to get it printed. I thought maybe now would be a good time to start discussing that. That sounds like a good
idea. Um, do we want to open it up to some of the artists in town to give us ideas? We have a lot of talented people in town. Unless somebody has some idea. We could consider it like a little bit
like the Do you remember when Shepette was looking for their name and their logo? I remain disappointed that um like my eight-year-old wasn't chosen cuz I'm teddy like that. But
seriously, um we could open it up for anyone. And one thing that we could do is I don't know if we really have time to manage this, so I'm not looking at you for this part, Maryann, but maybe others can take it on, is we could invite the children to do it. And then
if we needed a sort of a more professional professionally drawn iteration of what they do, we could see if there's a graphic design. I don't know. I'm just spitballing here. But I love the idea of opening it up and welcoming people to contribute whether
we are looking for professionals or where we're just sort of more open as a as a fun thing. It' be a great like first art display for the library for example. Yeah. Had you already had some thoughts about it, Elizabeth? Is that why you brought it up or just just thinking
ahead? I was thinking ahead and I've also asked a couple friends in town. I have three friends um who I've asked to give us prototypes that we could look at in the future at future meetings and see sort of what direction we'd like to go
in. That's probably so much more efficient than my idea and probably a lot easier to manage, too. So, I happen to know in my brain
um my brain knows that logo contests are problematic. Um and um and so I think if there are people who [Music]
um who are willing to kind of think about doing it. So if if Elizabeth knows people that are willing to do it and willing to do it without compensation um and and they submit things that so
this would be a logo for the new Shootsberry for the Shootsberry Public Library. Um uh then that seems like as good a way to go as any. And and so this came up did this come up at a Turkey Trot meeting or
what? Yeah. Okay. Um and um and I said, "Well, if we're going to sell stuff with a library logo on it, really the trustees have to approve the library logo, you know, um so and not this rogue turkey trap um group. They could, you
know, they have a great logo, the turkey trap thing." So um so I think sort of a smaller, more targeted thing probably makes more sense. I agree. I think you're right. So can I I don't I think we sort
of can do this and we have done it before. we just sort of de delegate to Elizabeth to sort of continue what she's already doing um on this initiative and you'll let us know when you know if you
need help or whether you have stuff for us to look at or just any point at which trustees need to support. And I will say that all three of the designers that I've asked are preschool or kindergarten mothers. So if you have
any friends in other demographics in Shootsbury who are designers, I'd welcome talking to them as well about it. That's what I was thinking. Not that I can think of any off the top of my head, but maybe in our conversations just in town, maybe, you know, so that
we could suggest it so nobody feels left out, but I can't think of any designers off the top of my head, but I'm sure they're out there. We have a lot of talented people in town. Okay. Excellent. Thanks for bringing that up. It's a great idea to get started.
Absolutely. Absolutely. I'm just excited to think that, you know, there's going to be a real building that needs a real logo and real swag. I bring this information back to the the three designers I have in mind. Is there anything that we have uh do we have any
ideas or can they just sort of use their imagination as long as it says Shootsbury Public Library? I have no ideas. I think that we should just let that be open. They live here. They might have like great ideas, right? Yeah. I mean, the usual thing that when
I've ever done branding stuff before is just ask people to take another look at the mission. Um, which is just, you know, you have access to just make sure that, you know, they read that and think about the visual expression of it. But anybody
who's a good designer is going to do that. So, sounds good. Awesome. All right, I think we're moving on swiftly through the agenda.
Um, yeah. Um, federal cuts and um are a spending a fair amount of time on this subject um lately. Um, and um, could we start with just sort of an
update for those who were more in the weeds on this particular cut than I? Um, you know, I think what I heard is that No, let me just ask someone else who's in the weeds to to to go. All right. So
the so the Trump administration cut funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is the federal agency that supports libraries. The board of Library Commissioners
gets some of their operating budget comes from a grant from the IMLS, about $3.5 million. Um so right off the bat they found
programs to cut. Um and um and then the rest they felt like they could run through the end of this fiscal year. So, right off the bat, they cut at the the MBLC
had a um they curated a collection of manga for use in prisons in the state. Um I can't even begin to talk about how important it is to provide a ongoing
up-to-date, you know, collection of manga for prisoners. Um so um they cut all of the professional development for um library staff. So they had a you know
cont contracts, three different contracts. Um, and then the other thing that the MBLC funds um, with IMLS money is the Commonwealth catalog, which is that's the that's one
of the two things that'll have the biggest impact in Shootsberry if funding disappears. Um so the so we're members of CW Mars which is a consortium of 155 plus libraries and there are other
consortiums across the state and there's the Boston public library and there are some academics and the commonwealth catalog combines all of those consortiums and the BPL and so anyone
any one of you can search if you don't find what you're looking for in CW Mars. You can look in the Commonwealth catalog and you can place holds in the Commonwealth catalog. Um, and it's really a remarkable statewide resource.
Um, and it's fully funded by the M by money from the IMLS. Um, another thing that the state funds, so so through CW Mars, Shootsbury Library users have access to the Overdrive collection, which is more
commonly referred to now as Libby because Libby is the app that we use. Um, and so CW Mars has has a Libby account and has a Libby collection. And then all of the other networks also have
a Libby account and Libby a Libby collection. And the Boston Public Library has a Libby collection. And the state has a thing called it's LEA. Um, and I don't know what those letters stand for. I can't um even if I looked
them up an hour ago, I wouldn't remember because they don't I would have called it something else. So, but um but it um so if you look for something in Libby and they don't have it, you have to you
have to register your card, your CW Mars card for each of the different networks, but then your your Libby account will look for it in all of those networks and they'll say, "Well, we don't have it, but BPL has it." And you can either borrow it now or place a hold. Um and so
that so that is funded that connectivity is funded by the IMLS. Um and each of the networks get a significant amount of money for collection development in their own
Libby platform. So CW Mars um is was expecting to get $100,000 for collection development in the CW Mars Libby account. CW Mars also put some of their own budget into the CW
Mars Libby collection development um account. Um but and but $100,000 is not an insignificant amount of money. um digital books and digital audio books are a lot more expensive than print
books or even uh physical audio books which is counterintuitive but but that but there you have it. Um and um so so it's likely that CW Mars will have
less money to buy um to curate their collection. Um and they might be able to like each of the networks might be able to fund that connectivity or the state might find
money to fund that connectivity. The other thing that's funded by IMLS funds is the databases and um databases are used more by schools um and um but they are they are
used in bigger communities people will use them and every once in a while I look at the encyclopedia um that's available uh through the databases um but um but it would it'll be a really big impact on schools um and colleges
and you know which and our our public schools don't have the funding to buy these statewide databases. Um, so last week, and I think I forwarded it to all of you, um, uh, the MBLC sent out an
update, and they sent out an update about, uh, state funding for libraries, which is really now all that we have control over. Um, and this this this library funding has
been level funded in the state budget so far, which is not terrible, but the MBLC every year uh makes a request that they call the legislative agenda. And there's a there was a link to that in that email that I forwarded to all of you. And I think the
that the MBLC was asking us to advocate to our state legislators on for the library legislative agenda. So I think that
would be the most possibly an effective advocac means of advocacy. Um I you know I know that Jim McGovern and um Senators Warren and Marky are big supporters of the libraries and the
IMLS. Um and um and so anyway that's that's all the information I have right now. Things are worse in other states. So, Maryann, is it worth even writing
anything to art like McGovern and Morren or Marky or is that money just definitely gone? It's like it's so confusing because so many things say they're going to be cut and then they reinstate the money and you know when people complain. So, do you know is it is it completely gone? I would say that
um uh well, first of all, I don't know, right? Um, Kate, do you know? No. Right. We don't know. Sort of, right? Do. Okay. In so far as if we're talking about current fiscal year money that has
already been allocated, authorized, and appropriated, then they can't he doesn't actually can't do that by executive order unless Congress just doesn't do anything about it, which so far is their strategy, the majority strategy. Um, but
Congress has the power of the purse. Congress has already made this decision. The proper way to do it is through the regular budget process. Now, um so there's a few different there's like three different stages and we are in the
be beginning of what's called budget reconciliation. um which is when the two houses need to come together and um create the upcoming fiscal year's budget. I believe we're
also still on a CR a continuing resolution um for the budget which complicates things a little bit. I would say that if we're in Massachusetts and what we want to do is think about federal support for libraries, we ought
to be working closely with libraries in Richie Neil's district. Um because he's on Ways and Means and Ways and Means always has an enormous role to play in reconciliation because the only things that you can do via budget reconciliation according to most
parliamentarian rules are spend money or raise it. Okay. So if we wanted to work with fellow trustees or you know for a larger sort of delegation that either
supported um libraries in his district or worked with the whole delegation to DC to ask you know um Representative Neil to make this a priority. But just
knowing that budget reconciliation is a is a um is a simple 50, you know, 50 plus one majority. And so realistically um unless this is a huge priority in states that are much
more um purple than ours, um there's not going to be a whole lot we're going to do. you know, it's just kind of how it is. Um, so then the question become for the
state um legislators is this is one thing that's getting cut at the federal level, but a whole bunch of other stuff is too, and how is the state going to manage to fill shortfalls and where? And so um and then the third question and I
think we should all be asking ourselves just as people in civil society is where is philanthropy going to step up where because there's like a whole huge swast of stuff where philanthropy doesn't have the pockets but for something like this
in a given state they do so you know sorry that's kind of a lot um for me but the you know we are looking at a few things. There's budget reconciliation. There's a whole recision process where they are they are trying to sort of go
through Congress for what they're calling passbacks or clawbacks of already allocated authorized funds. Um if the money isn't in the states, my understanding is if the money isn't already in the coffer to which it's been allocated, then um that's that recision
is much easier to do. So that's what my day is like, y'all. Yeah, that's the part that I was unclear about, like if it's, you know, even though they say it's been appropriate, like because I I was reading the paper today about what happened to the Pakup Museum in Old
Deerfield. They've been awarded money in January and they were told it was cut immediately. They had a $300,000 grant and it was cut immediately. So, like that's why I was trying to figure out, you know, I s I read what I read, you know, what MBLC's been sending out and
what you sent, but I just didn't wasn't a little unclear about where we stand at this point. So, I I've been advocating for things anyway. Doesn't hurt, right? But I just wasn't sure what the latest was. I do think that, you know, for what it's
worth, I think we know who our we know who our legislators are. Um, and we know where they stand. If we're going to send a letter, it it should always include a thank you first. They're fighting as hard as they possibly can, every single
one of them. And so saying thank you first and um, you know, saying we hope that you can, you know, do your best on this. Um, and we always thank you for your leadership and your service to your constituents. That's the kind of like,
you know, even if it goes nowhere, getting thanked right now means the world to people and they are people and they're people we know. Right. Right. I will say that Congressman McGovern will say that they want to hear
from us. Um, and and I haven't been calling and emailing as much as I sometimes do, but there was um a letter that, you know, one Democratic Congress person somewhere in the
country wrote on behalf of the IMLS. Um, and they were asking for people to sign on. And I did call Congressman McGovern's office to make sure that he had signed on, that he knew about it, and he had signed on to the letter. Um, and you know, but that was several weeks
ago. Um, and yeah, so that's what I heard at McGovern's town hall too in Greenfield a month or so ago. Same thing. And Elizabeth Warren, too. Whenever I see her on, you know, TV or something, she's just like wanting to hear from people.
So, and and um Marky's office is always great replying every time I send something. So, right. Yeah. And Senator Marky's office is collecting stories um on you know, there's a link on his
website. These are things that um you know, I don't I because Michelle has brought this up a couple of times. I you know I the other thing that has been cut is LSTA grants in the state of Massachusetts. I forgot to mention that.
So they they cut those right away too. That is again the library library service and technology act. So the so the MBLC gets again gets money from the IMLS and then they grant it to libraries and we've had a couple of those over the
years and um and so you know so libraries that were told you know six weeks ago that they got a grant um were then turned around and told that they weren't getting their grants. Um and and
so and those aren't sort of those are for special programming that ends up changing the culture of your library for the better, you know, and um and so um you know
that's another thing that happened. Um, so, um, so but I don't I don't have time to sort of be the person writing the letters about this and, um, I'm doing that's why I brought it up like a while ago because as soon as I read that about
NBLC, I was like, "Oh my god, we got to do something." I took I took a lot of notes. I'm willing to write it and share it with for feedback. I mean, I feel like I mean, I've done I could probably do more, too, but I feel like I'm constantly doing something. Like just the other day I did when I heard
Elizabeth Warren has this new save our schools. I wrote in a bunch of stuff about my experience and how important all this money is. You know, having been in special education my entire career, like it's really important. So I thought that I've heard from her. Her office isn't as good as replying as the others,
but anyway. Yeah. But I did my due diligence. So well, I do think maybe if you Oh, sorry. No, you go ahead. Maybe if you write the letter then we can all sign it as trustees too. That's absolutely I just would want feedback from people though but because there's a
lot I think that's what I was going to say if we're all kind of getting to the same I do think a trustees letter to all of our elected officials thanking them for what they do and their leadership here and um knowing that they can call
on us if they need testimonials or anything like that. um that I think is really productive and nothing that I said is intended to encourage civic participation which we desperately need. I just also want to be realistic about where we're at and what I do understand
about the federal process. Um where you know I I I I think there's lots of ways that this is hitting and I think there's lots of different pressure points that people are putting on different parts of the system. Um, so and and I think things are, you
know, I I refuse I refuse to give up hope. Um, because it's it's free to keep it, so might as well. Um, I did Thank you. Michelle, if you wanted to take the hand on drafting that. Um, recognizing
our next meeting. I heard Ways and Means next week. Meets next week. Okay. their markup is what I heard they're trying to do their markup next week. So, if there was anything that anybody wanted to do and had time to do this week because
we're this is a recess week to um connect to any trustees in in um Representative Neil's district. This is the week to do it. Okay. Okay. Um we haven't seen the president's budget yet either. just a noted note that's always
like a thing that happens that almost never gets passed but this year may be different. Um then I did just want to note if if we can move on so um because we're getting close to time. Is that okay with everybody? Yeah. All right. Thanks everyone and thank you Michelle
for bringing this to us. Yeah. I uh so Janice Gray, many of us knew her um and um I if you did, it was almost impossible not to admire her, I think, and be grateful for all the work she did
at our library. I do wonder whether um we could think of a thing in the new space um or whether we're think whether we want to think of something in the new space or we want to think of something now or we're thinking like a a donation
or are we thinking a paver that people might want to I don't I don't know what kind of ideas we have. I don't know either, but after, you know, the email you sent, Marian, it made me think we need to do something to honor her. I guess I, you know, I didn't realize how long she had volunteered in
the library and how to what degree. I knew she would like really worked actively on the town newsletter, which was great. So, I had nothing in particular in mind. I papavers are done, aren't I? The papers are off the table. Sorry, that was papers are done. there.
And so she bought a paper and then somebody did buy a paper in her honor um before she died, which is really nice. Um that's great. And um do you have any ideas? I mean, Maryanne or I didn't have
anything in particular. It's um you know I just I when I sent that out to you I just wanted you to know you know um because um because she was um you know because she was just part of
the the library and it was very important to her. I I saw her I when she um so she about two weeks before she died she announced on Facebook that she was in hospice and um and so I brought
some flowers by. I didn't intend to go inside but um but her husband Patrick saw me out the window and told me told her that I was there and she said you go and get her and bring her inside. So, um, so I was lucky enough to get to see
her and she, um, she was disappointed that she wasn't going to get to see the new library library. Um, and um, and she was um, concerned because she hadn't gathered together everything she wanted
to for the library tag sale. And so, um, so I just I want us to [Music] remember to, uh, to remember her out loud at the
grand opening, you know, and um, and then I don't I don't know what else to do. I have at the at the turkey trot. She was the finish line person for the last two years. So we could have the announcer
announce um the passing of one of our finish line people in in his speech. We could and could could the could the finish line be the Janice Gray Turkey finish line? That would be perfect.
Yeah. Yeah. Can we ask the turkey trot um crew that question at the next meeting, Elizabeth? I think we're the trustees. I think that we can probably just tell them to do it. No. No. The trustees can't tell the friends what to do. Um and friends can't tell the
trustees what to do, but they can nicely ask each other things. And I I'm sorry. And I think that would be Well, that's okay. But I think that would be really lovely. Do you think Do people like that idea? Yeah. Yeah. I like that idea. I didn't realize she's the finish line
person. That makes total sense. Good idea, Elizabeth. So, she was there the second year, too? She was. Yes. Okay. All right. Yes. I mean, look how dedicated she was, you know. Um, and both years she wore the hat.
Yes. What's her hat? All the Turkey Trot volunteers wear a little crown. Oh, yes. Okay. Okay. Yeah. I've had I've had one, too, Michelle. I thought maybe I thought it was maybe a different hat. Yes, I have one. Yes, let's do that. Let's ask the turkey truck while
volunte if um if we could name it the Janice Gay finish line and then um and I think that would be I think and then we could let Patrick know. I think that would be lovely. Yeah. And Yeah. Maybe we could get it printed on the first
person who runs through finish line. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. That's lovely. Yeah, I think that feels great. Thank you. Oh, good. Thanks. Oh, good. Um, so
a few things just to name for our next agenda. I believe we're going to have a review of previous minutes. We're going to do the regular updates that we do. We're going to if Elizabeth's ready to report back on logos, we're going to
hear that. um if you're ready to report back on the Janice finish line. Uh we'll hear that. Um and but and Michelle, it's kind of up to you. I think I'm trying to figure out
about the sign on letter process because as far as open meeting law is concerned I think what we should do is if we're going to do this um if people are comfortable
with mua we need a committee we need a dedicated committee to wrap this up and we need permission from everyone for us some that committee to finish it and sign it on behalf of all trustees if we
want to get it out swiftly enough to insert it anywhere in the um reconciliation process I think before in other words it would need to happen before our main meeting I think right I agree it um I'm happy to work on that
with you Michelle would anyone else like to contribute to that what what is the I beg your pardon backing up. It would be a letter to our all of our state and federal officials thanking them for their support for
libraries, letting them know that they have our support as they continue to fight for funding and um encouraging them to do their continue to do their best. Basically, those would be like the three bullets from my perspective. Um, and we might just write that out with
like a little bit more context um, from the I think the NBLC's talking points give us a really good start for that. And maybe a few little points that Maryanne has shared a Yeah. in terms of like impact on our small community. Right. Right. Yeah.
Yeah. Okay. Does anyone want to join that? Otherwise, Michelle, you and I can just do it if others are comfortable with that. You okay with that everyone? Yeah. Okay. Objection. Okay. So, we're a
committee. Off we go. And then um can we choose our next meeting date? I believe it would normally be the the 19th. It would normally be the 19th of
May. Um does that date not work for anyone? It is not ideal for me. I'll say probably the 26th is Memorial Day. Wouldn't you think the federal holiday? Yeah.
Yeah. Anything? Doesn't matter to me. We could change the day of the week if needed. Could Does anyone have a problem with the 12th instead of the Yeah, I'm not here on the 12th. Okay. Well, I think maybe we can't all be here
for the next meeting and that's just the way it's going to have to roll. Um, so I am agnostic about just what's the best date? Can I see a show of hands? Who prefers the 19th? One, two, three, four. It doesn't
matter. Okay. So, the 19th it is. And I'll just be absent. Okay. And Michelle, that just means that you and I will have done this work already and gotten it out. Yeah. Right. Okay. Okay. That's good. There wasn't someone saying I prefer the
19th, but that's a day night that's available for me. I'm not free the 26th. I'm free the Tuesdays, 20th, 27th. Let's just go with the 19th. One missed meeting from me will not kill anybody.
I'm confident. Um, and uh I think is there anything else we need to do for the good of our order before we wrap up tonight? Um, I have a question. Um, can we Is it appropriate? Can we
talk about um uh dedicating Maryanne a room at the We cannot dedicate a room to Maryanne. If if if a room is dedicated to me, I'm not coming to the groundbreaking ceremony.
What? Yeah, we tried this already, Pam, and we got worse worse than that. So, I don't think we're improving. I don't I don't want I don't want I I So, like four or five papavers have my
name on them. Um I I don't need my name on the building or on a room on the building. I just need there to be a building and it really I would feel weird about having my name on a
room. Okay. Okay. But you and I've been telling people that and I I'll come back and haunt you after I die. All kinds of mean things I say. It's okay. When you retire, we can do it. Yep.
We'll get you. Just know that I will haunt you after I die. Okay. Worst things that have happened to me this week and it's only Monday. All right, y'all. This is a great meeting. Thank you for staying tonight.
Thank you. We did get a lot done. All right. Thanks so much. Safe travels, Kate. Thanks. All right. Okay.